US pork exports post another strong gain in April

US pork exports continued to grow strongly in April. According to figures from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), export volume increased by 8% year-on-year to 257,212 tonnes, while export value rose by 6% to $718 million.Although March set a record export volume, April did not surpass that level. Export shipments in April 2024 were higher.Growth was broad-based across key destinations. Mexico, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Central America and the Philippines all increased purchases of US pork. Exports to China and Canada also rose compared to a year earlier, although this was partly due to a relatively weak comparison base. Nevertheless, the increase in shipments to China is notable given the country's ongoing domestic oversupply.For the first four months of 2026, total US pork exports, including variety meats, reached 1.04 million tonnes, up 4% from the same period last year. Export value also increased by 4% to $2.89 billion. This puts the sector on track for another strong export year. A weaker US dollar and relatively low US pork prices have certainly contributed to this performance.Mexico remains by far the largest export destination. In April, the US shipped 94,538 tonnes of pork to Mexico, valued at $211 million. From January through April, export volume to Mexico rose by 5% to more than 403,000 tonnes, while export value increased by 8% to nearly $900 million.Demand from Japan also continued to recover. Exports to Japan increased by 9% in April to 32,682 tonnes. Over the first four months of the year, shipments were up 17% compared to the same period in 2025, bringing exports close to 2024 levels. The increase is likely partly linked to Spain's absence from the Japanese market following outbreaks of African swine fever. Another standout growth market is the Dominican Republic. Exports to the country surged by 57% in April to 11,622 tonnes. Over the first four months of the year, export volume was 38% higher than a year earlier.